Install Linux Safely to an External Drive

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  • Опубліковано 31 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 102

  • @1300miles
    @1300miles 3 роки тому +2

    It's important to tick the "Enable EFI" box if you're on a machine with UEFI BIOS. The machine I'm on right now will only recognize one of my monitors if legacy boot mode is enabled. Great video man. This was so much easier/safer than installing from one USB to another. Thanks. Subscribed.

  • @toast99bubbles
    @toast99bubbles 3 роки тому +1

    I was using a Linux Format cover disc that contained Mint 19.3 and wanted to install it on an old 2TB internal drive I have in an external enclosure using my Mac, to replace the internal 512GB drive in a Linux machine I got not long ago. Followed this tutorial, but using the cover disc as the disc image and it worked perfectly. All I need to do now is install the drive in the place of the 512GB one in the pc and it will hopefully boot up. Thanks for walking me through this. New to Linux, but not new to messing with VMs (mostly for Windows and Mac stuff), so it was mostly stuff I kinda knew anyway, but you presented it in a way that was easy enough to follow along.

    • @toast99bubbles
      @toast99bubbles 3 роки тому

      The pc didn't find a bootable drive. Ah well, that's a problem for future me to solve. Present me needs to sleep.

  • @sinrock85
    @sinrock85 4 роки тому +11

    Going to put Linux cinnamon on a Samsung T7 usb ssd, can’t wait to run it! Two more days waiting on shipping!! I’ll let ya know how it goes brother! 👍

    • @sinrock85
      @sinrock85 4 роки тому +8

      Best thing I’ve ever done with my computer setups!

    • @Mr-E.
      @Mr-E. 3 роки тому

      Hi Michael, I am doing the exact same thing (same T7) and Linux Cinnamon. Hopefully it works out for me like it did for you!

  • @anarita-15
    @anarita-15 4 роки тому +5

    Tom this video was just in time as I was thinking of buying a cheap laptop for my home daycare business to search for activities for the kids and browse for places to go for field trips and to write development reports of the kids for the parents and to schedule parents meetings and to do my inventory list of supplies needed such food, toys, cleaning supplies, and hygiene supplies, etc so it separate from my personal laptop and after watching this video I don't need a new laptop just a 3.0 USB flash drive and install Linux Mint just like you did to be secure and bingo bob is your uncle I am so happy because now I have USB flash for my home daycare business and one for my banking and financial stuff I feel so organize that my OCD is proud of me LOL THANKS Tom :)

  • @sleepyeyesvince
    @sleepyeyesvince 4 роки тому +5

    Love this method of carrying your own "computer" around with you. Been doing this for a while. Some caveats to be careful of - you should decide if you want the install to USB to be UEFI or Legacy/BIOS mode (which you can install either way with VirtualBox). This depends on your 'target' system you will be intending to use your new drive on and whether the setting can be changed or not in your BIOS. I'd also suggest going into /etc/fstab in your new USB install and adding "noatime" as an option. This reduces the writes to the USB, and hence improves it's life. I've killed some USB drives doing this otherwise.

    • @sleepyeyesvince
      @sleepyeyesvince 4 роки тому +3

      @Guillermo Torres In order for VirtualBox to boot into UEFI, you need to make sure the setting is on (it is off by default). You should find it in the settings of your VM -> System -> Motherboard tab -> Enable EFI

  • @TheVishnu3333
    @TheVishnu3333 4 роки тому +1

    Excellent and wholesome guide. I have been looking for how to do it in a safe way and was losing hope. Thank you for making this video. I tested it and I am able to successfully install it using this method.

  • @billgrey
    @billgrey 4 роки тому +5

    Fantastic! Exactly what I've been wishing for! Thanks, man.

  • @lethallawnmower5301
    @lethallawnmower5301 4 роки тому +3

    Thank you so much I’ve been looking for a video like this for the past few days

    • @lethallawnmower5301
      @lethallawnmower5301 4 роки тому

      Just did it right now and I successfully got to install to a thumb drive. Running it across my laptop and my main computer which both have windows

  • @TheBrimurray
    @TheBrimurray 4 роки тому +1

    Great little video explaining the method used to create a "portable" Linux OS. Thank you Tom.

  • @UCfvFxl5fVfTuA9DH353dJzQ
    @UCfvFxl5fVfTuA9DH353dJzQ 7 місяців тому +1

    Worked for my Mint, thank you!

  • @glob2493
    @glob2493 4 роки тому +3

    I'm looking for the correct words to describe this scenario so that this method doesn't get confused with what is normally referred to as "making a bootable live usb".
    Correct me if I'm wrong: A "bootable live usb" usually refers to an immutable ISO-installation where the contents on the usb can't be changed.
    But the method in this video will create a bootable usb where you can actually install new programs and use the usb as a normal hard-drive for storage.
    How would you express this more clearly so that the two different methods don't get confused?

  • @vfletes1
    @vfletes1 4 роки тому +1

    Good to see another great video... That a side i can never get any distro to be bootable from a usb or external drive i mean never... I always just end up buying from someone else already done.

    • @motoryzen
      @motoryzen 4 роки тому +2

      Here's an easy way to finally resolve that problem.
      From within windows. Take ANY size thumb drive ( OR even an ssd), use AOMEI partition assistant ( and yes..there is a free option and yes that is what I'm talking about and it works..every time), - because stupid windows built in partition manager and cmd prompt refuse to format any drive that is beyond a certain total size in fat32.. - to partition that installation media drive to fat32
      When that completes, just copy and paste whatever distro ( in this case I'm using mint 20 cinnamon) into that drive. Finally right click that iso file and select " extract here".
      NOW it's bootable. YEs..unnetbootin and a few others work..but my idea is simpler and works regardless of the storage drive's total capacity.
      The only part you'll need to experiment with is whether you choose legacy thumb drive/ssd or UEFI thumb drive/ssd selection in the boot menu ( be it the separate fwhatever hotkey or within the boot menu selection in your Setup/Bios/uefi. ONE Of these will work.
      And btw...You can connect that ssd you just made into a linux installation media..internally just like any other storage drive you want to install linux to. Yes...the install hauls ass ( sub 5 minutes guaranteed)
      REMEMBER - though, don't select " restart now" when mint cinnamon finishes installing. Choose the other option talking about experimenting more so that way you can manually power off the pc, and take all the time you need to remove the installation media, then power it back on, select the drive you installed Mint into as the first boot drive, f10 ( chances are) to save and exit, and the machine should reboot and boot straight into the Mint desktop in less than 22 seconds worst case if ssd ( if hdd..maybe longer)
      ----Regardless PLEASE..., I recommend NOT installing LInux into the same storage drive that Windows is already installed into. Spare your sanity. WIndows mbr and grub were never meant to play together. Keep it simple, keep the two os worlds separate with the only exception being another storage drive you can use ( formated to exFat of course) to manually transfer backup files to and from the windows and linux installations as needed to take baby steps on swimming in the LInux pool and see how things work in a sensible way. ---
      Timeshift is your friend...learn it first.
      Need more help getting stuff set up or going or perhaps resolve some little problems? Let me know. I'm no expert, but Mint 20 cinnamon is now my 100% daily driver..no more windows for this taco eating moto riding Linux user.
      Chris Titus Tech
      Joe Collins
      TLG
      Level1Techs forums
      LinusTechTips forums
      And yes..even this guy Tom from SwitchedToLinux are all good sources of help
      Cheers

  • @hannanhanid
    @hannanhanid 4 роки тому +5

    yes I always wanted to do this this is perfect thanks

  • @bobbond4459
    @bobbond4459 3 роки тому +4

    I was under the impression that this video, per its title, was going to explain how to install Linux for a user that does not have Linux installed yet at all. I noticed that you already have it installed and reinstalling it on an external device. That did not help me at all. I am running running a dual boot with macOS and Windows 10 via Bootcamp and wanted to install Lunix via an external device via either macOS or WIndows 10. For a newbee like me, how can I get there?

    • @SwitchedtoLinux
      @SwitchedtoLinux  3 роки тому +2

      ua-cam.com/video/nn4T6LclEek/v-deo.html

    • @imlosoo
      @imlosoo 3 роки тому +1

      Happy I continued to scroll down until I found this!

  • @Jorge-Moreno
    @Jorge-Moreno 4 роки тому +9

    Hi.
    Can I do the same with two pendrives? One with the operating system and the other one to install the OS, instead of using a virtual machine?

    • @geraldcragg9313
      @geraldcragg9313 4 роки тому +3

      yes...!!! be careful of the Primary drive though...!!! I'd remove it to be safe...

    • @SwitchedtoLinux
      @SwitchedtoLinux  4 роки тому +6

      yes, but you have to be aware that if you have another hard drive in the computer, GRUB is installed on that HD and not on the USB drive.

    • @Jorge-Moreno
      @Jorge-Moreno 4 роки тому +2

      Ok, thank you very much!!

    • @TheCocoaDaddy
      @TheCocoaDaddy 4 роки тому +2

      I'm about to try this, myself! :) We'll see how it goes.

    • @TheCocoaDaddy
      @TheCocoaDaddy 4 роки тому

      @@SwitchedtoLinux Thanks for mentioning this. I think/thought there's a way to install GRUB on the hard drive Linux is being installed on but I'll definitely keep this in mind.

  • @pianokeyjoe
    @pianokeyjoe 4 роки тому +2

    On a slightly unrelated topic: Tom? Where did you buy that tiny flash disk?? The Walmart in Washington PA does NOT sell those! We only have the bigger ones and not that tiny looking one. I had to buy one on EBAY but that gets old when I want to go to the store today and buy one today to use TODAY. Can you tell us what store you bought it from? Those nano sized USB drives are nice as they do not stick out of the computer possibly getting bumped or broken.

    • @SwitchedtoLinux
      @SwitchedtoLinux  4 роки тому +2

      I grabbed it at BestBuy this afternoon. 32 were $7, 64 $10

    • @pianokeyjoe
      @pianokeyjoe 4 роки тому +1

      @@SwitchedtoLinux Thankyou for letting me know. So South Hills trip it is! Thankyou!

  • @ryandunsoncfe9563
    @ryandunsoncfe9563 4 роки тому +1

    Nicely done! Thanks for the information.

  • @arctis_shark
    @arctis_shark 4 роки тому

    Great video! Going to try this tomorrow.

  • @polygonstorm4467
    @polygonstorm4467 3 роки тому +1

    Is that VNC (I'm guessing that stands for Virtual Network Computing) at 2:00 also required for this installation? Also when creating a new machine, in VirtualBox, I need to specify a machine folder ==> would this be the USB? This isn't asked in the VBox in this video?

  • @busterj11776
    @busterj11776 4 роки тому +2

    Excellent, as usual...thanks

  • @hackercop
    @hackercop 4 роки тому +1

    Thank you so much this was really helpful for me!

  • @rayzer1981
    @rayzer1981 4 роки тому +1

    i use the 2 usb method, point one to the other then update grub on the host machine before booting into it. doesnt seem to boot when restarted so shutdown instead otherwise you may get a load kernel error. ive also managed to dual boot on external using this method which is pretty cool. currently got kde neon and mint xfce external and peppermint is the host os.

  • @chrisroberts5747
    @chrisroberts5747 2 роки тому

    Thanks for great tutorial. I was able to get a working copy of Linux on my laptop. I tried Ubuntu and also Elementary OS. For the latter, I tried something different though. I did a full install to virtual box first, then I did a DD copy from the virtual disk to the USB stick.
    There is one thing I haven't been able to figure out yet, and that is making it boot automatically. I can hit F9, and boot the USB with the BIOS/EFI boot menu... but it doesn't just do it automatically (even though USB is moved up higher in the priority list on the boot order). It would be nice if I could just plug it in and turn it on, but it's not a huge problem

  • @electricalbatross5797
    @electricalbatross5797 4 роки тому +2

    Can you do another tutorial like this where you install Linux to multiple flash drives in a RAID 0?

  • @faithbpotts
    @faithbpotts 4 роки тому +2

    Hello I need this because I have a 3 weeks class activity at internet society this November 10. Thank you.

  • @lualgomo3920
    @lualgomo3920 3 роки тому +3

    BIOS won't detect the instalation :(

  • @TheCocoaDaddy
    @TheCocoaDaddy 4 роки тому

    Great video! Thanks for posting!

  • @nealfugaterealtor7255
    @nealfugaterealtor7255 4 роки тому +2

    I'm new to virutalbox and linux and decided to give this method a try- I followed directions exactly and keep getting this failure notice during the installation:
    "Failed to create a file system- The ext4 file system creation in partition #5 of SCSI4 (0.0.0) (sda) failed."
    I've been looking and looking and looking for some kind of answer - and have not found a way to resolve this error. I've double and triple checked my Virtual Machine setup and have it exactly like the one in the video. Tried differed USB drives and versions of Cinnamon and nothing- still getting roadblocked during setup.
    Anyone out there know how to fix this?

    • @Mr-E.
      @Mr-E. 3 роки тому

      Hi Neal, did you ever figure out a solution for the "Failed to create a file system" ?

  • @Tailslol
    @Tailslol 4 роки тому +1

    it is what i do,linking a usb to a vm ware machine that has no hard drive set up to make "portable " machines.
    my wd element disk worked well for it.

    • @LND3947
      @LND3947 4 роки тому +1

      Could you explain what you did in more detail?
      I'm greatly interested in your concept (if I understand it correctly) and would love for you to explain in more detail exactly what you mean and what you did.
      Many thanks :)

    • @Tailslol
      @Tailslol 4 роки тому +1

      @@LND3947 basically the same thing as he did in the video but i used windows and vm ware to make a linux install on usb

  • @gasun1274
    @gasun1274 3 роки тому +1

    it's pretty much impossible for me to wipe my hard drive because my fedora live boot doesn't even detect any storage devices other than the usb stick it's booting from

  • @sharmiladeo4938
    @sharmiladeo4938 4 роки тому

    This thing saved my pc's life !

  • @nicegy0197
    @nicegy0197 4 роки тому +4

    Question: If I want to run virtual machines from the newly made Linux drive is the performance going to be good or would it be better to use a USB hard drive instead of the flash drive?

    • @SwitchedtoLinux
      @SwitchedtoLinux  4 роки тому +2

      In general a USB hard drive is way better. Flash drives die sooner.

  • @harshphysik
    @harshphysik 3 роки тому +1

    How do we install Linux Mint on hybrid memory laptop ie OS on ssd & data on HDD. Its hp 15 machine.

  • @marshallhyasi6213
    @marshallhyasi6213 4 роки тому +1

    Guys Format your USB to FAT32 before you start following this video
    If you do not see the option "boot from usb" in your boot menu Then go to your bios and activate Legacy mode and gor the legacy set the priority to USB Duskette.
    now restart and go to your boot menu and it should show " boot from usb diskette"
    note : I use hp laptop.
    Also if your Virtualbox only gives you options for linux x32 Then you have to enable virtualization from your Bios.
    Also for my laptop in the bios I should change the USB 3.0 from Enabled to AUTO.

  • @PureAwareness76
    @PureAwareness76 10 місяців тому

    Lovely😍
    Sorry, the Virtual Box was only for installing the Linux, or is it running on the USB (SSD)?
    Thnx

  • @masteroduo7469
    @masteroduo7469 3 роки тому

    Thanks this was really helpful

  • @SteveMacLellan
    @SteveMacLellan 2 роки тому +1

    Ran across the tutorial today. Doesn't work for me. I get an error message:
    Kernel driver not installed (rc=-1908)
    The VirtualBox Linux kernel driver is either not loaded or not set up correctly. Please reinstall virtualbox-dkms package and load the kernel module by executing
    'modprobe vboxdrv'
    Not sure what this means. I was able to install and run two other OS from iso files last week. Not sure why I'm getting the error, but if VB works for two other OS's, I doubt it's the problem.

    • @SwitchedtoLinux
      @SwitchedtoLinux  2 роки тому +1

      It sounds like you are trying to do an install through VBox. If that is the case you will need to install the Vbox exensions and that should clear up the errors. All those errors are virtualbox specific errors.

  • @aaronwithrow1910
    @aaronwithrow1910 3 роки тому +1

    I keep getting you have 0.0 bytes free to install linux on my external hard drive how do i fix this? i have tried to adjust the partitions to formatted and unformatted and keeps showing same message please help thank you

  • @spinoboying
    @spinoboying 4 роки тому +1

    i want to ask, ive 2 drives in my laptop. SSD and HDD. i use my SSD 256gb to store my ubuntu. how i can installed software in my HDD?

  • @chillbro2275
    @chillbro2275 3 роки тому +1

    When you formatted the drive, did you just create a new partition table with GParted, then proceeded to the installation wizard?

    • @SwitchedtoLinux
      @SwitchedtoLinux  3 роки тому

      Usually the distro will handle the drive partitioning unless you are doing something advanced.

  • @DTechDive
    @DTechDive 3 роки тому

    Man I have Internet issues. I tried this menthol but my linux mint connects to wifi but internet doesn't work

  • @akmt123
    @akmt123 Рік тому +1

    HELP!!! After seeing your Video I want to install Linux Mint Cinnamon on my 700 GB EXTERNAL HD, and, then remove it from the other 3 PCs.....then take the 700GB external HD and use it with either Windows 10, 7 or the XP PC. Will it automatically boot to Linux and still give me the Dual Mode Screen option?

    • @SwitchedtoLinux
      @SwitchedtoLinux  Рік тому +1

      To install it on an external drive you plan to move around to different computers, make sure that the bootloader is installed onto the drive, then on the computers, you will either set the boot order to boot the USD drive first, or you will need to access the one time boot menu when you want to run Linux mint.

    • @akmt123
      @akmt123 Рік тому

      @@SwitchedtoLinux HI, all ok but the 700 GB external HD now shows up as VLI string.....how can I mount it again?

  • @d4rkkn16ht
    @d4rkkn16ht 4 роки тому

    I have a question...How to install Linux Mint into an external HDD/SSD WITH Linux Mint installer in it, so I can install Linux MInt on other computer & also use this HDD/SSD for work?

  • @angelgabrielortiz-rodrigue2937
    @angelgabrielortiz-rodrigue2937 4 роки тому

    When I go to install the OS on the VM, I get an error that my machine has “0.0B” of memory. I set it up exactly like in the video

  • @leogomez4192
    @leogomez4192 Рік тому +1

    How did you format the drive to act as an internal disk?

    • @SwitchedtoLinux
      @SwitchedtoLinux  Рік тому

      On Linux, you can install to any drive. No extra formatting needed.

  • @dario7489
    @dario7489 3 роки тому +1

    I get an error saying I only have 8.1GB space and it needs 8.6 GB. I have more than enough space what is happening?😭

    • @SwitchedtoLinux
      @SwitchedtoLinux  3 роки тому

      You need to use a minimum of 16GB for many distros.

  • @barabrainrot
    @barabrainrot Рік тому +1

    hiiii what usb drive are you using? mine seems to slow to the point of being unusable

    • @SwitchedtoLinux
      @SwitchedtoLinux  Рік тому

      Make sure you are using a USB 3.0 or higher in a port that supports higher speeds.

  • @yusraf.211
    @yusraf.211 3 роки тому

    When he said 'eeyo windows', I felt that.

  • @null3667
    @null3667 Рік тому +1

    How do I format it?

  • @PiyushKumar-fn6fz
    @PiyushKumar-fn6fz 3 роки тому

    Savior. Thanks

  • @technologyman101
    @technologyman101 4 роки тому +2

    I do the same thing, but I enable EFI in VirtualBox.

    • @gurisler3622
      @gurisler3622 3 роки тому

      Anything else to do while booting it in any computer's bios. I did as you suggested, EFI enabled me to finalize my installation. But now can't boot with USB.

    • @technologyman101
      @technologyman101 3 роки тому

      @@gurisler3622 Um you actually need to add a custom boot entry for quite a few EFI firmwares including Dell. Some of them like my old Toshiba laptop and my new System76 Meerkat can boot from these USBs without any messing around
      Btw if your distro uses GRUB, make sure it always continues boot (blue screen with options will appear on boot [from USB] until you set it up)

  • @berkayozerbay6155
    @berkayozerbay6155 4 роки тому

    should we use this external hard disk only for linux usage or can we store another files in it?

  • @krimsonbun
    @krimsonbun 3 роки тому

    I have a 2.0 usb external hard drive with 2tb, what can I do?

  • @zeta8745
    @zeta8745 4 роки тому +1

    Does this work with an external ssd?

  • @hollowknut9473
    @hollowknut9473 4 роки тому

    Have you ran into any issues switching between PC’s, particularly ones with different GPU brands?

  • @thewayoflife_
    @thewayoflife_ Рік тому

    Does the same method work with an external hard drive?

  • @njoroge2061
    @njoroge2061 4 роки тому

    What happens when you select create hard drive.

  • @chinmoy1955
    @chinmoy1955 2 роки тому +1

    Did you forget to mention that using a pen drive to run an operating system can be quite damaging to the pen drive itself? Pen drives have a finite number of write cycle life, and this method is going to render this pen drive useless in a relatively short time. I'd rather install Linux on an external HDD. Why not a video on that? Thanks

    • @SwitchedtoLinux
      @SwitchedtoLinux  2 роки тому

      I did not cover that and it is very good point that does deserve a video. Thanks for the idea and I will add that to my list of videos.

  • @famelitegamer3317
    @famelitegamer3317 4 роки тому

    After how do i connect to internet?

  • @motoryzen
    @motoryzen 4 роки тому +1

    hehe...thumb drives. ( makes George Lopez..scoff). I install Linux Mint 20 with a ssd FOOOOO . WhaPAAA! xD

    • @motoryzen
      @motoryzen 4 роки тому +1

      @John Kunai Don't be jealous because you didn't think to mix comedy in with a fact. You'll be ok.

  • @oldajslshkllracc
    @oldajslshkllracc 3 роки тому

    e w w w i n d o w s
    2:17

  • @ΧρήστοςΤουμπάρης
    @ΧρήστοςΤουμπάρης 4 роки тому +1

    You stole my idea :(
    I did this with Debian

  • @abduksam
    @abduksam 3 роки тому

    The most easiest way